CN104884812A - Laminar flow radial ceiling fan - Google Patents

Abstract

The prior art has used inclined blades connected to a stationary motor (typically an electric motor) to move air within the confines of a building or room. The preferred invention comprises a series of solid discs. The disk is fixed to a stationary motor so as to rotate about a central axis. The disks are equally spaced and perforated at the center to allow large volumes of air to flow through the perforations and pass along the disks, exiting symmetrically between each disk perpendicular to the air flow at its inlet. Due to the less restrictive or low pressure air inlet and the appropriate vertical disc spacing, a corresponding increase in laminar flow is achieved. This feature of the preferred invention allows operation at rotational speeds at which the ceiling fan is actually used.

Description

Laminar Radial Ceiling Fan

Background Art of the Invention

The invention disclosed herein maintains a human comfort level within a dwelling by utilizing the forced movement of air. When the temperature is warm, the artificial wind helps to cool the body as it passes over the body.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is a ceiling fan. The task of any fan is to convert the motion of the fan (typically, the motion of the flat, pitched blades) into motion of the air. The existing technology utilizes the movement of air caused by blades rotated by a motor, thereby generating artificial wind.

Since the mid-twentieth century, systems such as central air conditioning systems have been built into homes to control the interior temperature of homes during the summer months. These systems add heating elements to allow homeowners to have extraordinary central systems. However, limitations in the distribution of hot or cold air produced by these systems have shown that uneven distribution within a room or enclosed structural area necessitates the addition of ceiling fans to supplement the circulation of air within the room or enclosed structural area so that the user feels comfortable.

As mentioned above, the deficiencies of being part of a heating and/or cooling system have been partially addressed by the use of ceiling fans whose normal operating state is that their operation is continuous. This continuous operation occurs when the heating/cooling system is cycled from operation to its off state.

Another benefit of prior art vane ceiling fans is the overall reduction in energy consumption resulting from the ability to vary the set temperature of the heating/cooling system to reduce its operating hours, yet the central heating/cooling system can still operate at The lower duty cycle provides a level of comfort for the user.

The known physical properties of air contribute to the supplemental help of ceiling fans. Specifically, the fact that cooler air with greater density will seek lower water levels while warmer air rises. When using a refrigerated air source system, prior art fans will drive the warmer air down at ceiling level in an attempt to create a higher state of motion within the confines of the room, thereby attempting to equalize the distribution of cool air. Most ceiling fans of the prior art include the ability to reverse the air flow by reversing the direction of rotation of the fan blades. The purpose of reverse flow is to increase the distribution of hot air during the winter months when using the central heating feature of the heating/cooling system. During operation of reverse flow, warmer air located at the ceiling is circulated through the ceiling, and the desired result of this movement is to create a circulation that more evenly distributes the room air.

It should be noted that all ceiling fans of the prior art attempt to achieve improvements in user comfort by moving air parallel to the vertical surfaces of the room, and thus perpendicular to the horizontal surfaces of the room. Thus, the movement of prior art air circulation is limited to a single column of pressurized air typically found in the center of the room, or for larger rooms, multiple fans will be affixed to the ceiling. For simplicity, we describe the preferred embodiment with a single unit installed in the center of a common room in a typical single family home.

As previously mentioned, prior art pitched blade ceiling fans propel a single vertical column of air from the ceiling down to the floor.

The prior art uses the movement of a single vertical column of air to hit one of the horizontal surfaces of the room, requiring a sudden 90 degree turn of this column of air. This will cause ineffective airflow turbulence. Thus, the prior art is deficient in attempting to efficiently circulate air and equalize or even out the natural hot and cold layers.

Optional fan designs exist. In its most basic setup, it consists of two parallel flat disks. The disks rotate which in turn spins the air mass trapped between the disks. Centrifugal force acts on the air mass, driving it outward beyond the edge of the disk and into the surrounding air space. If the disc has some kind of path that allows new air to replace the air that was driven off, the rotating disc will circulate the air. So instead of traditional fan blades, the rotating disc circulates the air.

The prior art has recognized this structure as a "Tesla turbine", "Prandtl layer turbine" or a "disk type" turbine. This design has been considered useful only in the case of hydro turbines or high pressure air applications such as vacuum cleaner motors or jet engine turbines.

In the case of a room fan, a Tesla turbine was deemed impractical because at a standard air pressure of one atmosphere, a Tesla turbine was considered simply impossible to make enough volume without being unrealistically large air movement. The device would require a very large number of discs, each very large and the discs would have to spin at RPM (revolutions per minute) well in excess of achievable.

Surprisingly, the inventors have discovered that the actual design of a disc-type fan is operable at standard atmospheric pressure. Indeed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate from the disclosed invention, a disk-type fan is not only practical but also an improvement over prior art fan systems.

Purpose of the invention

The following disclosure of the "object" of the invention is intended to describe examples, or preferred embodiments, for comparing or contrasting the invention with the prior art. However, such disclosure is not intended to limit the claimed invention in any way.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a ceiling fan arrangement which satisfies the objectives and minimizes the limitations of the type previously described.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a ceiling fan that pushes its output laterally into its plane of rotation with increased laminar flow.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide complete circulation and mixing of air of different temperatures when they are used within the confines of a room.

Another specific purpose of the invention is to disperse its bulky laminar air movement in all directions (360°) parallel to its plane of rotation.

Another object of the present invention is to allow unobstructed air flow into the ceiling fan.

Another object of the present invention is to dislodge outgoing laminar air without the need for shock from unrestricted incoming air.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to provide a solution to the deficiencies of the prior art, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a laminar flow radial ceiling fan comprising a plurality of circular fans stacked generally equidistantly and having radial symmetry about a central axis. plate. The fan operates by rotating the disc about the central axis. The rotating discs are fabricated in such a way as to allow air to enter unimpeded through a central opening in the disc and then exit in all directions with a large volume laminar flow at equal spacing between the array of discs when using This unique air flow within the room eliminates any stagnant air when present in the preferred invention. Prior art attempts to achieve increased laminar flow at useful rotational speeds customary to ceiling fans have failed due to the relatively small input aperture.

In addition, the preferred invention improves air movement behavior due to the relatively low pressure wide input orifice. As the air returns to the fan, it spins in an inverted expanding cone. The origin of this cone of return air is at the lowest point in the room (the floor) and its base extends to the vertical boundaries of the room (the walls). The apex of this cone of return air is its input opening at the base of the fan.

Attached picture

Objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by carrying out the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows the preferred airflow pattern for the air leaving the fan;

Figure 2 shows a preferred air flow pattern (conical return pattern) that emphasizes air return;

Figure 3 shows a complete view of the preferred embodiment including the unique airflow paths leaving and entering the fan;

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the preferred invention;

Fig. 5 is the top view of the single driven disk of preferred invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing two vertical partitions of the mating cavity;

Figures 7A-D show various views of fairings (a design variation to further advance laminar air flow);

Figure 8 is a top or active, drive disc of a preferred embodiment including a motor attachment and a smooth conical shape to promote laminar air flow;

Figure 9 is a top view of the connection retaining ring of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a bolt receiving cylinder installed on the connection retaining ring of FIG. 9 .

Detailed description

One improvement over existing technology is more efficient air circulation. Due to the plurality of discs and their specific size, shape and relative positioning, in a preferred embodiment, the fan produces a laminar air circulation pattern that efficiently circulates air throughout a standard room. For example, as shown in Figure 1, when the fan is located in the center of the ceiling, the air exits the rotating disc horizontally across the ceiling, spreading evenly in all directions towards the walls of the room. At the wall, the air travels down parallel to the wall, the air flow turns inwards along the floor and travels back towards the center of the room, see Figure 1 again. Next, as shown in Figure 2, the air is swirled upwards in an inverted cone pattern towards the air return hole located at the bottom of the fan. Finally, the air enters the fan through the air return hole, thus completing the circulation pattern.

This air circulation is the result of empirical experimentation with various functional fan designs, each incorporating various features of the fan, in particular disc size, number of discs and relative positioning of the discs.

These air patterns are produced by the fan shown in Figure 3 (configured as a laminar flow ceiling fan), which is also shown in exploded view in Figure 4 below. Horizontal arrow 407 shows air leaving the fan and beyond the edge of driven disc 401 . Return air 406 is shown entering the fan through the central air return hole (see also 103 of FIG. 5 ). As air enters the fan, it is smoothly directed outwardly through the conical portion 408 of the actively driven disc described in more detail in FIG. 8 below. This novel feature of directing airflow into and out of the fan without significantly disturbing the laminar flow of the airflow is a unique attribute completely absent from the prior art.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a driving, or driving, disc 405 mounted above an array of eight driven discs 401 below. Through bolts 402 connecting the driving and driven discs pass through vertical spacers 403 , and the vertical spacers 403 keep the driven discs 401 parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The active puck also features the smooth conical shape of the present invention that directs air through the air inlet path 406 into the laminar flow output 407 shown next to the array.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a complete fan. 501 is a motor. Through bolts 502 pass through the entire array, connecting the entire array of driven discs to the driving drive discs 503 , terminating at a connecting and retaining ring 504 . The base air guide 505 covers the motor mounting screw assembly 506 during fan operation, and may be removed during fan assembly and service. This assembly connects the motor 501 to the active drive puck 503 .

The complete driven puck array 507 and active drive puck 503 are shown assembled and secured to the stationary drive motor 501 by securing 5 machine screws through the active drive puck motor mounting screw holes 506, thus completing Manufacture of the Preferred Invention. The motor 501 rotates the entire driving drive disk 503 and driven disk array 507, respectively.

Figure 5 is a top view of a single driven disc 101 of the preferred embodiment. Preferably, each driven disc is injection molded from plastic stock and is likewise manufactured with a circular opening. An air inlet chamber 103 is located at the center of each disc. Each disc in the fan will have an air intake cavity 103 . When the pucks are stacked together as shown in Figure 3, the air entry cavity will create an air return hole 406 into which the air flows, as will be explained more fully below.

Preferably, the driven disc 101 is manufactured by plastic injection molding to create smooth surfaces on both sides thereof. A smooth surface is the preferred surface for promoting laminar flow over the rotating disk 101 . Of course, any surface designed to promote laminar flow will find use in the present invention. This is especially true in high-end designs where advanced aeronautical engineering can be employed.

The diameter of the air inlet cavity 103 is obtained using the following equation. The disk inner diameter (ID) is a function of the surface area (A) of a single disk as follows:

$\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; ID</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\sqrt{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; A</span>}}$

The outer diameter (OD) of the driven disc 105 is determined as follows:

OD≌1.5×ID

or, more precisely:

$\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; OD</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\sqrt{\frac{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 4</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; +</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&pi;</span>}}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&pi;</span>}}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&times;</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; ID</span>}$

Of course, some variation in the exact ID:OD ratio is allowed. In fact, under certain conditions (room size, barometric pressure) some tests can be performed and variations of two percent, five percent, ten percent and up to fifteen percent in order to achieve the best performance may be necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface area (A) is about 500 square inches, the outer diameter (OD) is about 34 inches and the inner diameter (ID) is about 23 inches.

The optimal number of pucks in array 301 is determined. When increasing the number of driven discs from 1 to 8, the fan works more efficiently. (Note that this range is 2 to 9 if active pucks are counted.) In the preferred embodiment, there is a marginal efficiency margin as the number of pucks in the array increases from 7 to 8. ) but increased significantly. Surprisingly, when the number was increased beyond 8, no improvement in efficiency was observed, so 8 became the upper limit.

Item 102 describes a monolithic spacer having a vertical cylindrical or aerodynamic shape. The space between the discs, the vertical dimension (V), is a function of the outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID) of the discs as follows:

V=(OD-ID)×0.0625

In a preferred embodiment, the vertical dimension (V) is 0.75 inches.

While the previous formulas provide a useful solution for designing embodiments of the claimed invention, there is of course an allowed variation in vertical dimension, but the allowed variation is surprisingly small. We estimate that laminar flow will continue for a 10% increase in vertical distance, but disappear after a 100% increase in vertical distance. Of course, for high-end use, the maximum vertical dimension limit for a particular embodiment can be determined by brute force testing. Simply build up various fans with different vertical dimensions until you find the optimum distance where laminar flow trumps turbulent flow and maximizes the volume of air in motion.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the spacer. A set of spacers are distributed around the driven disc in a pattern evenly spaced on a circle, with spacers spaced apart by a distance, in a preferred embodiment, from the ID of the disc to the OD of the disc 1/3 of the distance. In a preferred embodiment, a total of 10 integral vertical spacers are shaped along the arc indicated by dashed line 104 in FIG. 5 and dispersed evenly as described above.

Figure 6 shows a preferred design that allows the spacers to be stacked vertically. As noted above, the spacer 102 provides uniform vertical separation between each disk in the driven disk array 401 and features a central hole 102a that allows through-bolts 402, 502 to pass through the disk array. In addition, the integral spacer has a connection and alignment cavity 101b that conforms to and accepts a mating vertical spacer counterpart 102b, which will cause the next successive disc to be placed on the shoulder 103b of the vertical spacer.

7A-D show laminar airfoil vanes that may be optionally attached in the vertical partition of FIG. 6 . Fig. 7A is an isometric view. Fig. 7B is a plan view. Fig. 7C is a front view, and Fig. 7D is a right side view. The height 703 of each blade 701 is less than the height of the vertical spacer to which the blade is mounted, and the diameter of the mounting hole 702 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the vertical spacer. Together these features allow the blades to rotate freely. The entire blade can change its angle of attack to align with the incoming laminar air motion, which can vary from time to time due to changes in air speed, changes in motor RPM (revolutions per minute), etc. These vanes 701 increase the output air velocity due to the centrifugal force of the rotating vertical vanes placed in the path of the incoming laminar air. The effect is similar to shaking a flat piece of cardboard in front of a person's face to create a cool breeze.

The blades shown are the preferred embodiment and may assume different shapes depending on the type of laminar airfoil desired. The blades can also be made fixed if desired.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of the top active drive disc 301 providing a connection base for the driven disc array 401 and the drive motor through the motor mounting hole 303 . Preferably, the driving disc 301 is molded as a single piece. Active drive disc 301 , in isometric view, shows bolt passage holes 302 allowing bolts to pass through and connect to connection retaining ring 201 . Note that the form of the alignment cavity 304 is the same as in Figures 5 and 9 so that through bolts and vertical spacers 102 can pass from the topmost puck through the array to the retaining ring on the bottom of the fan. Note again that the actively driven pucks have conical conformal air guides 305 to aid in the entry of air and increase laminar flow by providing an unobstructed air path into and out of the array of rotating pucks.

Figures 9 and 10 show the retaining ring and retaining ring bolts, respectively. The connection retaining ring 201 is shown in plan view. The purpose of the retaining ring is to receive the bolts passing through the driving drive disc 301 (see Figure 8) and each driven disc in the array of discs. Figure 10 shows alignment and retention ring bolt receiving cylinders 201a, 202a designed to fit into the bottom driven disc 101 and formed to accept threaded bolts through the central hole 102a. These retaining bolts are distributed in a pattern matching that of the overall vertical spacer 201 . This pattern is depicted by dashed line 203 . The bolt receiving cylinder 201a conforms to the alignment cavity 101b at the bottom of the bolt. The connection retaining ring 201 is secured to the bottom disc of the array 401 so that its upper surface is flush with the bottommost disc.

The preferred invention as a unit will have the number of discs as described by the preceding equation. The operating rotational speed of the preferred invention is within the normal range of conventional ceiling fans. The motor 501 is designed to adjust various speeds according to the laminar air speed desired by the user. The following formula can be used to describe the pressure of the gas flow. This is defined as the difference between the pressure created by the air leaving the fan and the surrounding air pressure, (P2-P1).

where "fluid density" is the standard air density and R2 and R1 are the distances measured from the center of the rotating disk to the outer and inner edges of the disk, respectively.

As noted above, the airflow patterns of prior art fans are inefficient. They are generally limited to the displacement of surrounding air by a single column producing a column of air. The diameter of the blades rotating around the fan's hub defines the size of this air column. Also, in a typical installation, the column of air exits the fan located in the center of the room, at any point lateral to this column of air the column of air has limited effect until the column of air touches the level of the room. During summer, the column of air, which is slightly cooler and denser than the surrounding air, will deflect downward, allowing hot air to collect near the ceiling, which is a very inefficient way of cooling a room.

In describing the invention, reference is made to preferred embodiments and illustrative advantages of the invention. Those skilled in the art of the present disclosure familiar with the subject invention will recognize additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes which will fall within the scope of the subject invention and claims.

For example, in one of the embodiments described above, there are 8 disks in the array as the optimal number. However, the size of this array depends on the fans that are designed to be domestic in a room of normal size. However, the absence of a fan is a theoretical reason for this particular size. In fact, given a modest budget, it is possible to design fan arrays suitable for large industrial spaces. In these applications, the air return holes will be larger and the optimal number of discs in the array can be larger. Most likely, it will be more expensive to manufacture these larger discs. The disk will be subject to greater centrifugal forces, which in turn will require proportionally stronger and more expensive materials. Still, there is no theoretical problem with building an array that can handle a large warehouse or hangar.

In addition to the design features already described, the inventors specifically contemplate that any aerodynamic features that promote laminar flow will be useful in certain embodiments of the claimed invention. This description only mentions some fairly cost-effective features. Depending on the budget available, additional features may also become suitable.

Summary of the main advantages of the invention

After reading and understanding the foregoing detailed description of the laminar flow ceiling fan of the present invention in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be appreciated that some of the significant advantages of the subject laminar flow ceiling fan can be achieved.

At least some of the major advantages include providing the disk array 401 made of plastic and injection molded with integral vertical spacers. Due to the integral vertical spacers 102 which allow vertical stacking of the pucks, the puck arrays can be simply constructed without the need for jigs. When the complete disk array 401 is rotated by the drive motor 501, air will be drawn in unimpeded through the open air inlet 406 and in all 360 degrees parallel to the direction of rotation at a high volume and relatively high relative to the prior art. Low RPM discharges laminar air. When used in relation to prior art ceiling blade fans, the circulation caused by the preferred invention evens out the air in the room to cause an even temperature distribution of the heated or conditioned air without requiring any change in its direction of rotation.

Claims (14)

1. A method of producing laminar air circulation comprising: device, said device comprising: a plurality of discs oriented in parallel, spaced apart from each other and having a common central axis, the plurality of discs including a bottommost disc, each disc having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference the circumference defines a centrally located central aperture; a rod located at the central axis of the device and having an outer surface; said plurality of discs are mounted around said rod to form an air return space between said outer surface of said rod and said inner circumference of said lowermost disc; and Said disk is mounted such that said disk freely rotates about said central axis; the method steps of generating said laminar flow comprising: rotating the discs at a velocity sufficient to cause air to flow upwardly into the air return space, out between the discs, and out beyond the outer circumference of the discs and the surrounding air space, Therein, the method steps operating on the device generate substantially laminar air circulation in the surrounding air space. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises the rod having the general shape of an inverted cone with concave sides, such that the rod assists in promoting laminar air flow. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ambient air space is a room in a building selected from the group consisting of a private residence, a retail business space, a front desk business space, and a back office business space. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of discs is 5-8. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pucks includes a single drive puck driven by a motor, and 4-7 driven pucks driven by the drive puck. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein each of said discs are substantially identical, said discs have an outer circumference of about 30-38 inches, and said discs have an inner circumference of about 20-24 inches . 7. The method of claim 4, wherein each of said disks are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.7 to about 0.8 inches. 8. A device comprising: a plurality of discs oriented in parallel, spaced apart from each other and having a common central axis, the plurality of discs including a bottommost disc, each disc having an outer circumference and an inner circumference, the inner circumference the circumference defines a centrally located central aperture; a rod located at the central axis of the device and having an outer surface; said plurality of discs are mounted around said rod to form an air return space between said outer surface of said rod and said inner circumference of said lowermost disc, and said disc is mounted such that said disc is free to rotate about said central axis; Wherein, the size of the air return space, the shape of the outer surface of the rod, the separation distance of the plurality of disks, the number of the disks and the speed of rotation are configured as the space around the device A generally laminar air circulation is created inside. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises the rod having the general shape of an inverted cone with a concave surface, such that the rod assists in promoting laminar air flow. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the ambient air space is a room in a building selected from the group consisting of a private residence, a retail business space, a front office space, and a back office space. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the number of the plurality of disks is 5-8. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of pucks includes a single drive puck driven by a motor, and 4-7 driven pucks driven by the drive puck. 13. The method of claim 11 , wherein each of said disks are substantially identical, said disks have an outer circumference of about 30-38 inches, and said disks have an inner circumference of about 20-24 inches . 14. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the disks are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.7 to about 0.8 inches.